For the longest time my family has gather for Thanksgiving at my grandparents place in Lafollette, Tenn. It's burried right in the foothills of the Smokey Mountains. And aside from the scenery it's only 30 some mile from Middlesboro when Glacier Girl was rebuilt. So most every year since the early 90s while in town we would make the trek over to Kentucky and follow the rebuild over the years. It was nice because we got to meet alot of the volunteers, Bob Cardin and Roy Schoffner and watch them turn a crumpled relic in to a beautiful piece of mechanical art. This was especially a good trip for my Grandfather, he would tell us how while liberating Manilla in P.I. scores of P-38s would strafe Japanese positions. Even within close proximity to allied forces in threat of being over ran.
So for old times sake we decided to make the trek once again and perhaps relive some of the good times.
We got on the road by about mid-morning. It's a great drive along the Smokies and Middlesboro is only 30 some miles from LaFollette so it's not too long a drive.
We Stopped for lunch in Cumberland Gap at Webb's Family Kitchen. Good Food. Cumberland Gap like a lot of small towns in America are really picturesque and full of character and pride.
With the advent of modern technological advances we took the Cumberland Tunnel through the mountainside. But 230 some years ago that would have been a different story. A year before our country was born, Daniel Boone walked these very same mountains and with the help of several Axemen to widen the Gap. Openning the western side of the Applachians and allowing thousands of early pioneers to settle the as yet wild vast spaces of Tennessee, Kentucky and portions of the Ohio Valley.
Just on the other side of the tunnel you runn right into Middlesboro. Another small town made from hot apple pie.
We eventually found our way to the airfield.
We we pulled up in the parking lot you see a significant change. A new building that was mean't to be Glacier Girl's Museum. Now sits unfinished and empty.
Here is where Glacier Girl was rebuilt and resided from 92 to 05. Now empty or being used for other purposes.
But just before this thread isn't really Warbird related just wait. Next to the Terminal is a F-86H. Not sure what it's actual Ser No. is. When i last saw it, it was still wearing Air National Guard Vietnam Camoflage and has since been repaint in the past few years. Looks real nice. I couldn't get close pictures. The gates were locked and there was nobody in the terminal to ask.
So there you go. That was our trip. it was bitter sweet. Fun to have gone again but sad that the P-38 is no longer there.
This from the family regarding the sale:
Quote:
Dear Glaicer Girl Supporter,
A few weeks ago The Lost Squadron Museum transferred ownership of Glacier Girl to Lewis Aeronautical in San Antonio , TX which was facilitated by Provenance Fighters Sales. Originally, we entered into a sponsorship arrangement with Provenance Fighters to complete Glacier Girl's original mission to the United Kingdom. Not long ago, it became obvious to all of us that the logistics and expense of making this trip were going to be enormous -- to the point it would take sizeable additional resources. Unfortunately, raising the significant resources to make the trip involved transferring the ownership of Glacier Girl. Though this was not the family's desire, it was the only way to fully realize our father's dream and ensure the long term support of Glacier Girl.
A year or so prior to his death our father realized he had taken the Glacier Girl project and legacy as far as he could. He knew that with his advanced age and failing health he would need outside assistance and expertise if Glacier Girl's full potential was to be achieved. He then began exploring his options.
Before our father passed away on September 24, 2005 , he was fortunate to have realized his dream of resurrecting and restoring this incredible piece of American history. He had been passionate about restoring the P-38 as a testament to the WWII veterans who bore witness to her majestic silhouette and thunderous engines. He personally funded the tedious 10-year restoration and with tear-filled eyes witnessed its First Flight on October 26, 2002 . Unfortunately, he was never able to behold the completion of Glacier Girl’s original mission. His determination to accomplish this final chapter in her story prompted him to explore options that would carry out his vision. He wanted Glacier Girl to venture into this next level and had begun to gauge the interest of prospective individuals and organizations to make this a reality. It was with this in mind that we decided to fulfill his dream for him.
Our community and volunteers have given generously and we are forever indebted for their devoted support. However, the P-38 Project has struggled for years to underwrite the tremendous cost of maintaining the plane and museum with little outside support not to mention the initial investment to recover and restore Glacier Girl. In spite of recurring high annual expenses, our father insisted the project remain a “free admission” exhibit.
Bringing Glacier Girl to this point was a labor of love for our father. It gave him great satisfaction to share this with veterans, the community, and literally thousands of people who feel a personal attachment to Glacier Girl alongside our family.
Obviously, giving up control of the plane was a bittersweet dilemma for our family and one that we have anguished over for quite some time. It is important to us that we share this historical artifact and preserve its significant place in aviation history. In order to do that, we must ensure Glacier Girl’s financial viability. While our original sponsorship arrangement with Provenance Fighters would provide support initially, we were still faced with supporting the project with significant resources annually when she returned. We could never begin to recoup the full cost of the project and this was never our intention. As our father did, we feel a personal responsibility to protect the future of this treasure.
It has been a heart wrenching decision but we feel a sense of relief knowing that someone with the same enthusiasm and passion as our father will be able to carry on his legacy. Most of all, we want to complete his dream. We hope you share in our vision and will want to follow Glacier Girl as she continues her journey.
With warmest regards,
The Shoffner Family
Shay
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Semper Fortis
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